HTX Crypto Exchange Returns All Funds Stolen By Hackers

HTX crypto exchange received refunds from hackers. (photo: twitter @HTX_Global)

HTX cryptocurrency exchange from Huobi Global has confirmed the refund of all the funds stolen by a hacker in late September. They issued a prize of 250 Ether in return after resolving the issue.

One of the HTX hot wallets was vacated by 5,000 Ether on September 25, with a value of around $8 million at the time. Immediately after the hack occurred, the company contacted the hacker and claimed to know his identity.

HTX ultimately offered to pay a prize of 5% worth around USD 400.000 (IDR 6.2 billion) and would not take legal action if hackers returned 95% of the funds before the October 2 deadline.

In a post on X (former Twitter) on October 7, Huobi Global investor and HTX adviser Justin Sun noted: "The hackers have made the right choice. We would like to express our gratitude to all parties in the industry for their help!"

"Strengthening blockchain security and protecting user assets is not an easy task, and we have worked tirelessly! Providing full security to user assets has always been our goal to fight for! We are grateful for the continuous support from our users and our community!" added Sun, quoted from Cointelegraph.

Hackers have been active during the third quarter of 2023. According to a recent report from blockchain security platform Immunefi, there were 76 hacks against crypto projects and Web3 companies in Q3 2023, compared to 30 in Q3 2022.

In the same week as HTX was hacked, Mixin Network's decentralized cross-chain protocol was also exploited by around $200 million after attackers hacked third-party cloud service providers.

Mixin Network offers a hacking reward of US$20 million (Rp313 billion) if they return the funds; however, most likely to get the funds back seems thin.

On October 6, Anne Neuberger, United States' national security adviser to cyberspace and developing technology, told Bloomberg that North Korean hackers may be behind the exploitation of Mixin. "The science of trading seems the same as the trade science we've seen from North Korea before," he said.